“Tsunami support” re-elects Gibraltar Chief minister Fabian Picardo

Picardo's centrist GSLP/Liberals alliance won 68% of the vote over the opposition Gibraltar Social Democrats (GSD), on turnout of 70% (Pic Jim Watt)

The 43-year-old has presided over a relatively prosperous period for Gibraltar, a British Overseas Territory which is home to 32.000 people (Pic Jim Watt)Picardo's win delivered a hefty blow to the GSD, whose leader Daniel Feetham, had vowed to rebuild his party's grassroots links with Gibraltar's community.The new Government was sworn in at the Governors residence by Alison MacMillian, who is interim Governor of Gibraltar. (Pic Jim Watt)

Gibraltar's incumbent Chief Minister Fabian Picardo thanked his supporters for their “tsunami of support” on Friday after he won a landslide victory in a general election.

Picardo's centrist GSLP/Liberals alliance won 68% of the vote over the opposition Gibraltar Social Democrats (GSD), on turnout of 70%, the lowest in 25 years in a territory where over 80% of the electorate normally votes.

The 43-year-old has presided over a relatively prosperous period for Gibraltar, a British Overseas Territory with a 6.7sqkm peninsula on the southern tip of Spain that is home to about 32,000 people.

But he has had several clashes with Spain, which has a centuries-old claim over Gibraltar's sovereignty and until recently imposed sanctions and restrictions.

To those beyond our shores who have attempted to interfere with our political processes in the past few years, a clear message has been sent, he said. Our people will never be influenced from outside.

Picardo and Spain's ruling conservative Popular Party have argued over the smuggling of cheap cigarettes from Gibraltar into Spain and the territory's low-tax regime.

There has also been tension over fishing rights in the waters around the Rock, which are claimed by both Britain and Spain.

In his victory speech Picardo included a reference to Britain's forthcoming referendum on EU membership, which could potentially lead to an exit from the 28-member bloc and have serious implications for Gibraltar's economy.

The people of Gibraltar can see and appreciate the challenges that may await and they know who will best steer them through, he said.

Picardo's win delivered a hefty blow to the GSD, whose leader Daniel Feetham, a barrister and former justice minister, had vowed to rebuild his party's grassroots links with the Gibraltarian community.

Feetham took over the GSD two years ago from Peter Caruana, who was Gibraltar's chief minister for 16 years, and presented a slate that included many new candidates.

It wasn't our time, he said in an interview on local broadcaster GBC. But I have held the GSD together and the GSD is not going to go under.

Picardo said politicians should reflect on the low turnout and question why the numbers were down.

It's irrelevant by international standards but worrying by Gibraltar standards, he said, promising to ensure his alliance reached out in particular to younger voters.

Top Comments

Mr Picardo has been an inspired choice for Gibraltar. Compare to Caruana who made the stupid mistake of agreeing an illegal arrangement with spanish fishermen, and Feetham who is just stupid. His attempts at appearing relevant are simply gifts to the spanish.

It is more than unfortunate that the British government doesn't have the bottle to deploy appropriate forces to deter the spanish. Perhaps a squadron of armed and armoured hovercraft manned by Royal Marines. And a flight of Apache attack helicopters. Just enough to sink/destroy anything spanish venturing into BGTW.

Nov 28th, 2015 - 11:48 am 0

GALlamosa

Congratulations Fabian, Stephen, Joe, Samantha and all our other friend is Gibraltar. Democracy at work.

Nov 28th, 2015 - 12:46 pm 0

Pete Bog

@1
It is more than unfortunate that the British government doesn't have the bottle to deploy appropriate forces to deter the Spanish

Yes, pledges from the Government but no action yet, the more incursions, the more action the UK should take.